Combination label imprinting and applying apparatus



Jan. 31, 1967 J. A. WEST ETAL COMBINATION LABEL IMPRINTING AND APPLYINGAPPARATUS '7 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 28, 1963 WM: 2 mm.

Jan. 31, 1967 J. A. WEST ETAL 3,301,733

COMBINATION LABEL IMPRINTING AND APPLYING APPARATUS Filed May 28, 1963 I7 Sheets-Sheet 2 JOHN A. Wes-r and \MmLlAM E. EPPE-s ATTORNEYSINVENTORSZ Jan. 31, 1967 J. A. WEST ETAL 3,301,733

COMBINATION LABEL IMPRINTING AND APPLYING APPARATUS Filed May 28, 1963 7Sheets-Sheet 5 67 W I g INVENTORSI ,/a JOHN A.WE$T2n Q 87d v. H -H3WILLIAM REPPES no 9| 20 HQ BY am w$m+m ATTOR NEY$ Jan. 31, 1967 J. A.WEST ETAL COMBINATION LABEL IMPRINTING AND APPLYING APPARATUS Filed May28, 1963 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 Jan. 31, 1967 3,301,733-

COMBINATION LABEL IMPRINTING AND APPLYING APPARATUS J. A. WEST ETALFiled May 28, 1963 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 ifK INVENTORS.

JOHN A. WEsTanCZ ATTORNEYS Jan. 3

J. A. WEST ETAL COMBINATION LABEL IMPRINTING AND APPLYING APPARATUSFiled May 28. 1965 '7 Sheets-Sheet 6 307 BRAKEE I W Y' 1 5 5m CLUTCH 504x07 L\3Z\ K 295 *58 29 294 & HEATER THERMosTAT 290 NVENTORS. 12 J'oHN A.\NIE ST 5W2 WHJJAME. EPPEs Byaawmwhm ATTORNEYS Jan. 31, 1967 J. A. WESTETAL COMBINATION LABEL IMPRINTING AND APPLYING APPARATUS Filed May 28,1963 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 gem L -S--0 5'7l Ana 3'70 5 3 5 225 Somme f 6\ 222305 572 v a, 226

.2 i 4 J 2 I86 3055, 5 580 P850. CLUTCH 586) 587 38? BRAKE 390 7-fly-12A United States Patent 3,301,733 COMBINATION LABEL IMPRINTING ANDAPPLYING APPARATUS John A. West and William R. Eppes, Charlotte, N.C.,

assignors to Idento Equipment Company, a corporation of North CarolinaFiled May 28, 1963, Ser. No. 283,918 12 Claims. (Cl. 156-363) Thisinvention relates to a labeling apparatus and more particularly to animproved combination label imprinting and applying apparatus forprinting suitable indicia on serially arranged labels relea-sablysecured to a carrier web of indeterminate length and for applying thethusly printed labels to packaged articles successively presented tosaid apparatus.

In the packaging of various types of products, such as food stuffs,etc., it has become increasingly desirable to imprint the desiredindicia on the labels immediately prior to application of such labels tothe packaged articles. The desirability of such a procedure is apparentsince the necessity of having large inventories of preprinted labels foreach of the various items being packaged is obviated. Also, a singletype of unprinted label may be stocked for use on a variety of dilferentpackaged articles. Further, the imprinting of the labels immediatelyprior to applying the same to the packaged articles reduces the handlingof the labels and considerably reduces the cost involved in the labelingof the packaged articles.

This desirable printing of the labels immediately prior to applying thesame to packaged articles has become practicable with the advent oflabels having pressure sensitive adhesive which releasably secures thelabels to a carrier web of indeterminate length in a spaced serialarrangement. While conventional label imprinting and applyingapparatuses are available for imprinting the labels immediately prior toapplying the labels to ar ticles presented thereto, such conventionalapparatuses have several deficiencies, one of which is the poor qualityof the printed indicia on at least some of the labels. This poor qualityprinting is due at least in part to the printing means of suchconventional apparatuses, which are operated intermittently, applyingtoo little or too much ink onto certain of the labels. In this regard,conventional apparatuses have no means for controlling the position inwhich the printing means come to rest upon inactivation of the printingmeans and therefore the printing means thereof quite frequently come torest in engagement either with a label therebeneath, or with the inkingmeans for applying ink thereto which results in too much ink beingapplied to either the label engaged by the printing means while at restor the next successive label engaged by the printing meansuponreactivation.

Also, the printed indicia on the labels being applied by suchconventional apparatuses is frequently smeared.

by either the printing means, applying means or means for guiding thelabels between the printing and applying means. In an attempt toovercome the problem of smearing of the printed indicia on the labels bythe applying means of such conventional apparatuses, the web of printedlabels is guided through avery long, sinuous path of travel between theprinting means and applying means to provide sufficient time for suchprinted indicia to become dried before arriving at the applying means.However, this extremely long and sinuous path results in considerablewaste of labels upon each change of labels or incorporates the featuresof the present invention.

3,301,733 Patented Jan. 31, 1967 out any additional manual handling ofthe labels, applying such printed labels to articles presented thereto,wherein the printed indicia on the labels is of improved quality andwaste of labels is considerably reduced over conventional apparatus.

A more specific object of the present invention is to provide animproved combination label imprinting and applying apparatus of thecharacter described wherein the web of printed labels is directed in asubstantially direct path from the imprinting means to the applyingmeans and wherein the labels are applied to the articles withsubstantially no smearing of the printed indicia on the labels.

A still more specific object of the present invention is to provide animproved combination label imprinting and applying apparatus of thecharacter described wherein the printing cylinder of the imprintingmeans is stopped in the same position each time the imprinting means isinacti vated, which position is such that the printing type is disposedrearwardly of the inking means therefor relative to the direction ofrotation of the printing cylinder and between the inking means and anylabel disposed beneath the printing cylinder so that uneven applicationof ink onto certain labels and/or smearing of the printed indicia oncertain labels by the printing cylinder are obviated.

Some of the objects of the invention having been stated, other objectswill appear as the description proceeds when taken in connection withthe accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of a combination imprinting andapplying apparatus incorporating the features of the present inventionwith portions broken away;

FIGURE 2 is an end elevation of the apparatus looking from the left inFIGURE 1 with portions broken away and shown in section;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged bottom plan sectional view taken substantiallyalong line 33 in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary vertical section taken substantially alongline 4-4 in FIGURE 3 with certain elements shown in phantom for clarityin viewing the elements positioned therebehind;

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken substantiallyalong line 55 in FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along line6--6 in FIGURE 5;

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional detail of a portion of themechanism shown in the upper medial portion of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 8 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken substantiallyalong line 8-8 in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 9 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along line9-9 in FIGURE 8 with portions broken away;

FIGURE 10 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along line10-10 in FIGURE 1 with portions broken away;

FIGURE 11 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional detail takensubstantially along line 1111 in FIGURE 10; and

FIGURES l2 and 12A are schematic views of a wiring diagram for theapparatus shown in FIGURE 1.

Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to FIGURE 1, thereis shown a combination imprinting and applying apparatus generallyindicated at 20 which Apparatus 20 includes conveyor means 21 which maybe of any conventional character, but preferably is an endless conveyorbelt 22 entrained around suitable pulleys or rolls 23, 24 at itsopposite ends, one of which is a drive roll therefor. Conveyor means 21is supported by any suitable supporting means (not shown) such that theupper and lower runs of conveyor belt 22 follow a generally horizontalpath of travel.

SUPPORT MEANS Label imprinting and applying apparatus also includesagenerally vertical support standard 25 (FIGURE 2) which is adapted torest on any suitable supporting surface (not shown). A collar 26 has aportion 26a surrounding standard 25, which portion is of the splitclamptype and has a bolt 27 therein for releasably clamping collar 26 to thestandard 25 to permit vertical adjustment of the same relative tostandard 25. Collar 26 also includes a support arm portion 26b formedintegral with the split-clamp portion 26a and extending horizontallyoutwardly therefrom.

An adjusting means 30 for vertical-1y adjusting collar 26 relative tostandard 25 includes a first split collar 31 spaced downwardly fromcollar 26 and a second split collar 32 disposed in contiguous relationto collar 26 and both surrounding standard 25 below collar 26.. Collars31, 32 have locking screws 33, 34 mounted therein respectively forclamping and unclamping the collars on support standard 25. Collar31'has the lower end of a vertically disposed screw 35 (FIGURE 2)journaled for rotation therein and screw 35 has a gear 36 drivinglymounted on the lower end thereof. Gear 36 meshes with a suitable wormgear or the like (not shown) carried bya handle 37 for rotating screw35. Screw 35 is threadably mounted at its upper end in collar 32 forvertical movement of collar 32 relative to collar 31 when lock bolt 34is loosened and hence vertical movement of collar 26 relative tostandard 25 when lock bolt 27 is loosened.

A platform generally indicated at 40 includes a mounting plate 41 whichis mounted on the support arm portion 26b of collar 26 and a pair ofspaced generally L-shaped arms 42 (FIGURES 1 and 2) having vertical legs42a mounted on mounting plate 41 and horizontally disposed legs 4212. Atop member 43 is mounted on horizontal legs 42b of arms 42 and has apair of elongate openings 43a (FIGURE 1), only one of which is shown,extending longitudinally thereof between the arms 42.

LABEL IMPRINTING MECHANISM A label imprinting mechanism generallyindicated at .44 (FIGURE .1) is carried by platform 40 and is preferablyof the type disclosed and claimed in applicants copending application onLabel Imprinting Apparatus, Serial No. 283,919, filed May 28, 1963.Imprinting mechanism 44 includes a base 45 which generally comprises aclosed housing including a bottom wall 46 (FIG- URE 2) through whichsuitable bolts 47 (FIGURE 1) penetrate, which bolts also penetratethrough elongate openings 43a in top member 43 for mounting imprintingmechanism 44 on platform 40 for .adjustment'longitudinally thereof andlongitudinally of conveyor means 21. Base 45 also includes end walls 50;51 (FIGURE 1), side walls 52, 53 (FIGURES 1 and 2) and a pair of topmembers 54, 55. Top member 54 (FIGURE 2) is ata lower elevation than topmember 55 and top member 55 includes a vertically disposed portion 55aextending downwardly into engagement with the top member 54.

Imprinting mechanism 44 includes an upper frame portion 56 (FIGURES 1, 2and 4) comprising two spaced apart side members 57, 60 (FIGURE 2) whichare mounted on top member 54 of the base 45. A top member 61 (FIGURE 4)is pivotally mounted at one end on a first bar 62 mounted at itsopposite ends on side members 57 and 60 and is releasably held in afirst position, wherein the same covers the space between side members57, 60, by a second bar 63 mounted on side members 57 and 60 adjacentthe upper frontcorner thereof.

A down-turned portion 61a at the forward end of top member 61 is adaptedto snap over bar 63 to releasably hold top member 61 in the firstposition. Top member 61 is movable about first bar 62 to a secondposition to provide access to the space between side members 57, 60 forreasons to become apparent later.

A printing cylinder 64 (FIGURES 2 and 4) having printing type or indicia64a (FIGURE 4) removably carried by -a segment of the periphery thereofis mounted on a shaft '65 for rotation therewith which is rotatablyjournaled at its opposite ends on side members 57 and 60. A back-up roll66 (FIGURES 3 and 4) is mounted on a shaft 67 for rotation therewith inbase 45 beneath printing cylinder 64 and has a portion thereof disposedin an opening 70 formed in top member 54 of base 45 for cooperation withthe print-ing type 64a on printing cylinder 64 for printing labelspresented thereto.

Shaft 67 is journaled at its opposite ends in bearings 71 which arecarried by an adjusting mechanism generally indicated at 72 (FIGURE 1)for adjusting the position of back-up roll 66 relative to the axis ofprinting cylinder 64 for accommodating printing types of varyingthickness on printing cylinder 64 and labels of varying thicknesstherebetween. This adjusting mechanism is specifically described in theabove-mentioned copending application and will not be described in moredetail herein.

An ink trans-fer roll 73 (FIGURES 2 and 4) is mounted on a shaft 74 forrotation therewith above printing cylinder 64 and is disposed relativeto printing cylinder 64 to engage the printing type 64a thereon forapplying an even film of ink onto the printing type 64a in timedrelation to the rotationthereof. Shaft 74 is rotatably journaled at itsopposite ends in suitable bearings (not shown) mounted on side members57, 60.

An inking roller 75 (FIGURE 4) is mounted on a shaft 76 for rotationtherewith and the opposite ends of shaft 76 are disposed in grooves 77,onlyone of which is shown, formed insthe inner surfaces of side members57' and 60 and disposed at an acute angle to the horizontal plane inwhich the axis. of transfer roll 73- is disposed so that inking roller75 is biased downwardly by gravity into frictional engagement with thesurface of ink transfer roll 73. Inking roller 75 is preferably of thetype described and claimed in applicants copending application entitledInking Roller For Printing Apparatus or the Like, Serial No. 264,574,filed March 12, 1963. Inking roller 75 is adapted to contain a supply ofliquid ink therein for depositing a film of such ink on transfer roll 73upon rotation thereof for subsequent transfer to the printing type 64a.

An ink spreading roll 80 (FIGURES 2 and 4) is mountedon a shaft 81 forrotation therewith and is disposed above and normally in frictionalengagement with ink transfer roll 73. Shaft 81 is mounted at itsopposite ends in bearings 82 for rotation with ink transfer roll 73 andfor reciprocation longitudinally thereof. Bearings 82 are mounted insuitable elongate openings 83, formed in side members 5-7, 60 (FIGURES 1and 4), for vertical movement relative to ink transfer roll 73. A pairof cam levers 84 are pivotally mounted on side members 57 and 60 belowbearings 82 and are movable about their pivots to move bearings '82upwardly and thereby move ink spreading roll 80 out of engagement withink transfer roll 73.

Means generally indicated at 85 (FIGURE 2) is provided for positivelyreciprocating shaft '81 longitudinally of its axis in bearings 82 topositively reciprocate ink spreading roll 80 relative to ink transferroll 73. Reciprocating means 85 is driven, in a manner not shown, insuch a timed relation to the rotation of ink transfer roll 73 that thereciprocations per minute of ink spreading roll 80 are in a fractionalratio to the revolutions per minute of transfer roll 73 as described indetail in applicants aforementioned copending application for La'belImprinting Apparatus.

A pair of upper and lower feed cams S6, 87 (shown in phantom in FIGURE4), respectively, are mounted on shafts 90, 91, respectively, (FIGURE 4)for rotation only one of which is shown.

therewith and have portions 86a, 87a of their periphery protrudingoutward-1y beyond the remaining portions and portion 87a of lower feedcam 87 penetrates through a suitable opening (not shown) formed in topmember 54 of base for cooperation with portion 86a of upper feed cam 86for intermittently feeding a carrier web W having la bels L thereon toprinting cylinder 64.

Shafts 90 and 91 are rotatively journaled in side members 57, and base45, respectively, and shaft extends, through side member 60 and isconnected by a flexible coupling 93 (FIGURES 2 and 7) to a stub shaft94. Flexible coupling 93 (FIGURE 7) includes a pair of bifurcatedcoupling elements 95, 96 mounted on shaft 90 and stub shaft 94,respectively, with suitable rubber blocks 97 disposed between the legsof the bifurcated coupling elements 96 to cushion the shock upon initialrotation of shaft 90 by shaft 94.

Shaft 94 has a socket element 100 (FIGURE 7) of a ball and socketuniversal connection 101 mounted thereon which matingly, b-ut loosely,receives a ball element 102 mounted on the outer end of a drive shaft103 connected by a gear reduction unit 104 to an output shaft 105 of amotor 106. When energized, an electromagnetic clutch mechanism 107drivingly connects drive shaft 103 to stub shaft 94 and includes a firstclutch element 108 mounted on socket element 100 for rotation therewithand a second clutch element 109 mounted on drive shaft 103- for rotationtherewith.

Shaft 90 serves as a drive shaft for the other operative mechanisms ofimprinting mechanism 44 and is connected to shaft 6 5 of printingcylinder 64 by suitable gears (not shown) and is also connected to shaft91 of lower feed cam 87 by suitable gears (not shown). Also, shaft 65 ofprinting cylinder 64 is connected to shaft 67 of back-up roll 66 andshaft 74 of ink transfer roll 73 by suitable gears (not shown). Further,shaft 90 drives reciprocating means 85 for ink spreading roll 80 throughsuitable gear-- ing (not shown).

Due-to the intermittent operation of label imprinting mechanism 44,means is provided for stopping printing cylinder 64 in a predeterminedposition each time the operation of label imprinting mechanism 44 isterminated. Such means includes a gear 110 (FIGURES 3 and 4) mounted onshaft 91 for rotation therewith and which mates with a gear 111 mountedon a stub shaft 112. An electromagnetic brake mechanism 113 (FIGURE 3)has a movable element 114 connected to stubshaft 112 for rotationtherewith and a stationary element 115 connected to base 45.

A microswitch 116 (FIGURES 3 and 4) is carried by a bracket 117 which inturn is mounted on stationary element 11 5 of electromagnetic brake 113and includes a plunger 116a (FIGURE 12) controlled by a cam follower 120pivotally mounted on switch 116 and disposed in engagement with a cam121 mounted on shaft 91 for rotation therewith. Switch- J16 iselectrically connected to electromagnetic brake 113 in a manner to bedescribed for controlling the operation thereof to control rotation ofstub shaft 112 and thereby control the rotation of printing cylinder 64through the drive train therebetween.

An auxiliary feeding or label positioning means 122 (FIGURE 1) isprovided rearwardly of the cooperating upper and lower'feed cams 86 and87 for positioning successive labels in proper position to be fed toprinting cylinder 64 by feed cams 86 and 87. Label positioning means 122includes an elongate bar 123 mounted for horizontal reciprocation at itsforward end on shaft 90 and at its rearward end on a shaft 124 journaledfor oscillatory movement in bearings 125, mounted on top member 54, Bar123 has an elongate opening 123a therein and a block 126 is slidablymounted on bar 123 for adjustment longitudinally thereof by a portionpenetrating through opening 123a. Block 126 is releasably held inadjusted position by a locking screw 127 and has feed fingers 130mounted thereon for movement therewith as the bar 123 reciprocates.

An eccentric 131 (FIGURE 1) is mounted on shaft 90 for rotationtherewith and is connected to bar 123 by a strap follower 132 forreciprocating bar 123 and feed fingers 130 in timed relation to therotation of feed cams 86 and 87 to properly position successive labelsfor feeding to printing cylinder 64.

A pair of arms 133 (FIGURE 1), only one of which is shown, are mountedat their forward ends on bearings 125 and extend rearwardly and upwardlytherefrom to free end portions at their other ends. A shaft 134 isjournaled at its opposite ends on arms 133 and is adapted to mount aroll R of the carrier web W thereon for unwinding therefrom. Brake means(not shown) is operatively associated with shaft 134 and is controlledby sensing arms 135, only one of which is shown, pivotally mounted onbars 131 and including a roller 136 rotatably mounted thereon andadapted to have the carrier web W pass there around for sensing thetension in the carrier web for controlling the unwinding of the roll R.

Back guides 137 (FIGURES 1 and 4), only one of which is shown, aremounted on top member 54 of base 45 for lateral adjustment relative toeach other for guiding the carrier Web W in its movement to printingcylinder 64. Also, anti back-up means (not shown) is preferably providedon shaft 124 and cooperates with top member 54 for preventing the web Wfrom moving rearwardly toward sensing roller 136.

A pair of front guides 138 (FIGURE 2) are provided at the forward end oftop member 54 for guiding the carrier web W and labels thereon fromprinting cylinder 64. Also, a rounded guide portion 139 is mounted onthe forward end of top member 54 of base 45 over which the carrier webhaving the printed labels thereon is adapted to pass.

LABEL APPLYING MECHANISM A label applying mechanism is generallyindicated at 140 (FIGURES 1 and 2) and is dependingly carried byplatform 40. Label applying mechanism 140 includes a support housing 141which includes top, bottom, front, rear and side walls 142-147,respectively, with front and rear walls 144, 145 being mounted on arms42 of platform 40 by bolts 148 (FIGURES 2 and 8) which penetrate throughelongate openings 149 (FIGURE 2) formed in the horizontal legs 42b ofarms 42 for lateral adjustment of the label applying mechanism 140relative to conveyor means 21.

Means 150 (FIGURES 1 and 5) for separating printed labels or forremoving printed labels from the carrier web, which the same receivesfrom label imprinting mechanism 44, includes a generally verticalbracket plate 151 mounted on side wall 146 of housing 141 adjacent thelower portion thereof by any suitable means (not shown). Label removingmeans 150 also includes a pair of vertically spaced guide rollers 152,153 (FIGURE 5) comprising sleeves rotatably mounted on shafts 154, 155which are mounted on bracket plate 151. Sleeve rollers 152, 153 areloosely mounted on shafts 154, 155, i.e., having internal openings ofthree-fourths inch which receive shafts 154, 155 which have an outerdiameter of one-half inch, for example. Also, sleeve guide rollers 152,153 have a roughened or sand finish on the outer surface thereof forengagement with the printed labels for preventing smearing of theprinted indicia or copy thereon.

An elongate top guide member 156 (FIGURE 5) is mounted on bracket plate151 below the lower guide roller 153 for receipt of the carrier webhaving printed labels thereon from guide rollers 152, 153 and isdisposed at a downwardly inclined acute angle to the horizontal. Topguide member 156 has a heating element 157 mounted therein for heatingits upper guide surface, for softening the pressure sensitive adhesivebetween the labels and carrier web for facilitating removal of thelabels from the web and subsequent application thereof to articles to 17be labeled. Heating element 157 has a thermostat 158 (schematicallyshown in FIGURE 12) operatively associated therewith for controlling theoperation thereof.

A corner member 160 (FIGURE is also mounted on bracket plate 151 inspaced relation to the lower end of top guide member 156 and has itsupper surface in alinement with the upper surface of top guide member156. Corner member 160 has its upper and lower surfaces disposed at anacute angle to define a sharp corner around which the carrier Web isadapted to be drawn such that the printed labels are peeled therefrom. Abottom guide member 161 is also mounted on bracket plate 151 inrearwardly spaced relation to corner member 160 for guiding the carrierWeb from which the labels have been removed away from corner member 160.

A hold-down plate 162 (FIGURE 5) is mounted on bracket plate 151 by abracket portion 163 rigidly mounted on hold-down plate 162 and extendingupwardly therefrom and terminating in a bifurcated end portion whichreceives a portion of a bracket 164 which is pivotally connected theretoby a pivot pin 165. Bracket 164 is mounted on bracket plate 151 in anysuitable manner (not shown). Also, a spring (not shown) is operativelyassociated with bracket 164 and bracket portion 163 for biasinghold-down plate 162 downwardly toward top guide member 156 and cornermember 160.

A rear roller 166 (FIGURE 5 is rotatably mounted on the rear portion ofhold-down plate 162 for moving the carrier web having printed labelsthereon received from guide rollers 152, 153 onto the heated uppersurface of top guide member 156. A front roller 167 is rotatably mountedon the forward portion of hold-down plate 162 in contiguous relation tothe upper surface of corner member 160 for holding the carrier web inintimate relation thereto. Rollers 166 and 167 are also of the sand typehaving roughened surfaces which engage the carrier web and printedlabels thereon to prevent smearing of the printing indicia or copy.

Hold-down plate 162 has a plurality of openings 168 therein for reducingthe weight thereof and to permit a beam of light to pass therethroughfrom a light cell or lamp 170 mounted thereabove by a bracket 171.Bracket 171 is mounted on bracket plate 151 by bolts or screws 172penetrating through elongate openings 173 in bracket 171 and intobracket plate 151 for adjustment of lamp 170 relative to corner member160 for accommodating labels of varying dimension longitudinally of thecarrier web. The light beam from lamp 170 is adapted to pass through theportion of the carrier web between successive labels, which istransparent, and downwardly between the lower end of top guide member156 and corner member 160.

A reflector member 174 (FIGURE 5) is mounted on bottom guide member 161and projects into the path of the light beam from lamp 170 forreflecting the light beam to a light responsive cell 175. Lightresponsive cell 175 is mounted on bracket plate 151 between top guidemember 156 and bottom guide member 161 and is connected in a mannerto bedescribed to 'drive means for a carrier web take-up drive roll 176 andtake up reel 177 (FIGURE 1).

Carrier web take-up reel 177 (FIGURE 1) is mounted on a shaft 180 forrotation therewith which is journaled for rotation in a suitable bearing(not shown) mounted on a bracket 181 which in turn is mounted on rearwall 145 of the housing 141. Shaft 180 has a pulley 182 drivinglymounted thereon which supports one end of a drive belt 183. The otherend of drive belt 183 is drivingly supported by a pulley 184 (FIGURE 8)mounted on a shaft 185 for rotation therewith. Shaft 185 also mountscarrier web drive roll 176 which is adapted to have the carrier web passin engagement therewith in its path of travel from the label removingmeans 150 to takeup reel 17 7.

An electromagnetic clucth 186 has one element 186a thereof drivinglyconnected to the other end of shaft and another element 186!) thereofconnected to a stub shaft (not shown) for rotation therewith. Also, anelectromagnetic brake 187 has a movable element 187a thereof mounted onthe stub shaft for rotation therewith and a stationary element 1187bthereof mounted on housing 141.

A sprocket 188 is drivingly mounted on the stub shaft and supports oneend of a sprocket chain 189, the other end of which is supported by adrive sprocket 190 (FIG- URE 9). Drive sprocket 190 is carried by ashaft 191 of a gear reduction unit 192 which is connected to the outputshaft (not shown) of a suitable electric motor 193. Motor 193 is mountedby bolts 194 on a motor support plate 195 which in turn is dependinglymounted on top member 142 of the housing 141. A bracket member 196 ismounted on the motor support plate 195 and on rear wall 145 of housing141 and a solenoid 197 is dependingly mounted therefrom.

Solenoid 197 includes a plunger 197a which has a link 200 pivotallyconnected thereto and a spring 201 is connected to link 200 at one endand to an arm 202 at its other end. Arm 202 is connected to a shaft 203mounted for oscillatory movement on housing 141 and penetrating throughside wall 144 above the carrier web drive roll 176. Shaft 203 includes acrank arm portion 203a at its outer end and a tension roller 204(FIGURES l and 8) is rotatably mounted on crank arm portion 203a. Atension spring 205 (FIGURE 9) is connected at one end to arm 202 and atits other end to bottom wall 143 of housing 141 for biasing arm 202downwardly and shaft 203 in such an angular direction that tensionroller 204 is biased out of contact with drive roll 176.

A label applying means 210 (FIGURE 5) is mounted on the housing 141above conveyor means 21 immediately forwardly of label removing means150. Label applying means 210 includes a closed box-like housing 211comprising top, bottom, front, rear and side walls 212 217 (FIGURES 5and 6). Bottom wall 213 extends only a portion of the distance betweenfront and rear walls 214 and 215 such that an opening 220 is definedbetween the rear edge of bottom wall 213 and rear wall 215.

A plurality of grid bars 221 (FIGURES 5 and 6) are mounted at oppositeends on front and rear walls 214, 215 below bottom wall 213 and beneaththe opening 220. The spaced apart grid bars 221 define a plurality ofelongate openings therebetween which communicate with the interior ofhousing 211. Side wall 217 and the forward portion of wall 146 of thehousing 141 have communicating openings (FIGURE 6) formed therein whichare connected in any suitable manner to a source of suction 222 (shownschematically in FIGURE 12) such as a suction fan or the like driven bya motor 223 (also shown schematically in FIGURE 12) for drawing asuction on the interior of housing 211 and hence on the elongateopenings between grid bars 221.

Therefore, when a label is removed from the carrier web W by movementthereof around corner member 160, the thusly removed label is drawnupwardly into contact with the lower surface of grid bars 221 by thesuction being drawn on housing 211. The label is thereby held inposition above conveyor means 21 for application to articles A beingcarried by conveyor means 21 therebeneath.

A plurality of hoses 224 are communicatively connected at one end to asupply hose 225 mounted at one end on rear Wall 217 of housing 211.Supply hose 225 is connected at its other end to a suitable source ofair under pressure 226 (shown schematically in FIGURE 12A) through acontrol valve 227 connected in hose 225 and having a movable valvemember 227a (also shown schematically in FIGURE 12A).

The other end of hoses 224 terminate in free end portions immediatelyabove the elongate openings between grid bars 221 and are adapted tosupply intermittent blasts or jets of high velocity air to the elongateopenings in timed relation to the movement of an article A therebeneath.This blast or jet of air moves the label disposed beneath grid bars 221downwardly into adhering relation with the article A and has a two-foldpurpose,

one of which is to move the label downwardly into adhering relation withthe article and the other of which is to complete the drying of theprinted indicia on the label if the same has not previously dried.

The actuation of the intermittent air blasts from the hoses 224 iscontrolled by means for sensing the presence of an article Atherebeneath which, in the embodiment illustrated in the drawings, is apair of photoelectric sensing means 230, 231 with means 230 being alight source cell or lamp and means 231 being a light responsive orsensitive cell. Lamp 230 and light responsive cell 231 are mounted onopposite sides of housing 211 by brackets 232, 233, respectively, insuch relative positions that the light beam from lamp 230 will bereflected upwardly to light responsive cell 231 from articles A carriedtherebetween by conveyor means 21. It can readily be appreciated thatany suitable means for sensing the presence of articles A beneath theopening 220 in housing 211 may be provided without departing from thescope of the present invention. Also, while the photoelectric sensingmeans is shown in the drawings as being stationary, it can readily beappreciated that the same may be adjustable longitudinally of conveyormeans 21 if desired as is conventional.

A roll-down roller 234 (FIGURES 1, and 6) is mounted for rotation on ashaft 235 which in turn is mounted on one end of :an arm 236. Arm 236 ispivotally mounted at its other end by a pivot pin 237 on a forwardlyprojecting bracket 238 mounted on the front wall 214 of housing 211.Roll-down roller 234 is biased downwardly by its own weight intoengagement with the articles A being moved therebeneath by conveyormeans 21 for assuring adherence of the labels L applied thereto by theair jets from hoses 224.

Since imprinting mechanism 44 operates to print labels tfaster thanlabel applying mechanism 140 applies the printed labels to the articlespresented thereto by conveyor means 21, imprinting mechanism 44 isoperated intermittently to supply labels to label applying mechanism 140when the same are needed. To control this operation of the imprintingmechanism, a generally vertical arm 240 (FIGURE 1) is mounted at itsupper end on a shaft 241 for oscillatory movement therewith and has asensing roller 242 (FIGURES 1 and 2) mounted on its lower end andextending outwardly therefrom in a generally horizontal plane betweenthe guide portion 139 on the front'of imprinting mechanism 44 and upperguide roller 152. Sensing roller 242 is adapted to have the web pass infront and :partially t-herearound such that the same engages the carrierweb on the opposite side thereof from the printing labels.

Shaift 241 is journaled for oscillatory, movement in a bearing (notshown) carried by a bearing mounting plate 243 mounted on wall 146 ofhousing 141 in any suitable manner as by bolts 244. Shaft 241 penetratesthrough bearing plate 243 (FIGURE 10) and a spring 245 (FIG- URE 11) isconnected at one end to a collar 246 mounted on shaft 241 for rotationtherewith and is connected at its other end to the bearing mountingplate 243 for biasing shaft 241 in a counterclockwise direction, as seenin FIGURE 10, or to bias sensing roller mounting arm 240 to the left asseen in FIGURE 1.

A pair of cams 250 and 251 are mounted on shaft 241 for rotationtherewith and have a pair of microswitches 252 and 253 operativelyassociated therewith respectively. Microswitches 252, 253 have camfollowers 254, 255 associated therewith and which are disposed inengagement with the periphery of cams 250, 251 for controlling theactuation of switches 252 and 253 in response to rotation of cams 250,251. It is noted that microswitch 252 is of the normally closed type andmicroswitch 253 is of the normally open type for reasons to becomeapparent.

WIRING DIAGRAM Referring now to FIGURES 12 and 12A wherein the wiringdiagram for apparatus 20 is shown, there is provided a male plug member260 (FIGURE 12) adapted to be inserted in any suitable receptacleconnected to a source of alternating current electrical energy (notshown). A power line 261 and a ground line 262 are connected at one endto male plug 260. Power line 261 and ground line 262 have a double poleswitch 263 connected therein, the operation of which is controlled by asuitable relay 264 connected thereto. One side of relay 264 is connectedto ground line 262 by a line 265 and the other side thereof is connectedby a line 270 to one side of a manually operable switch 271 which ispreferably of the snap action type and will remain closed when thecontrol button is pressed until the control button is pressed again tomove the same to open position. It is noted that the switch 271 ismounted on base 45 of imprinting mechanism 44 for easy accessability. Aline 272 connects the other side of switch 271 to power line 261.

A line 230 is connected at one end to power line 261 land is connectedat its other end to motor 223 which operates suction source 222. Theopposite side of motor 223 is connected to ground line 262 by a line281. A manually operable switch 282, also of the aforementioned snapaction type and also mounted on base housing 45 of imprinting mechanism44 adjacent switch 271, is connected in series with solenoid 197 whichcontrols the engagement of the tensioning roller 204 with the carrierweb drive roller 176 by a line 283 which is connected at one end toground line 262 and is connected at its other end to one side ofsolenoid 197 and has switch 282 connected therein. A line 284 connectsthe other side of solenoid 197 to power line 261 for completing thecircuit thereto. Motor 193 for driving takeup reel 177 and carrier webdrive roller 176 is connected to power line 261 by a line 284 and toground line 262 by a line 285. Also, motor 106 for operating imprintingmechanism 44 is connected to power line 261 by a line 286 and to groundline 262 by a line 287.

Heater 157 is connected to power line 261 by a line 290 and tothermostat 158 by a line 291. Thermostat 158 is connected by a line 292to one side of a manually operable switch 293, also of the snap actiontype and mounted on the base housing 45. The other side of switch 293 isconnected to ground line 262 by a line 294.

A bridge rectifier 300 (FIGURE 12A), is of conventional construction andwill therefore not be described in detail, is connected to AC. powerline 261 by a line 301 and has the opposite side thereof connected toAC. ground line 262 by a line 302. Bridge rectifier 300 functions toconvert the alternating current electrical energy supplied thereto bythe power and ground lines 261 and 262 to direct current electricalenergy and the output sides of bridge 300 have a D.C. power line 303 anda D.C. ground line 304 connected thereto, respectively.

The opposite end of the D.C. ground line 304 is connected to one side ofelectromagnetic clutch 107 for controlling operation of the imprintingmechanism 44. A line 305 connects one side of electromagnetic brake 113to D.C. ground line 304. The other end of D.C. power line 303 isconnected to one side of a double throw switch 306 having contacts 306aand 30612 and which is movable between a first position wherein thecontact 3060: thereof is actuated and a second position wherein thecontact 306b thereof is actuated.

A line 307 is connected at one end to the contact 306a of double throwswitch 306 and at the other end to electromagnetic brake 113 forcompleting a circuit to brake 113 for energizing the same and a line 310is connected at one end to contact 30611 of double throwswitch 306 andat its other end to electromagnetic clutch 107. It is noted that switch306 is normally closed through contact 306a thereby completing thecircuit to electromagnetic brake 113 and is moved to the other positionby a relay 311 connected thereto.

A circuit for controlling operation of relay 311 includes a line 312connected at one end to A.C. power line 261 and at its other end to oneside of normally closed switch 252 which has the other side thereofconnected to one side of normally open switch 253 by a line 313. A line314 connects the other side of switch 253 to one side of relay 311, theother side of which is connected by a line 315 to A.C. ground line 262.

Relay 311 also controls a normally open second switch 316 which has oneside thereof connected by a line 317 to one side of switch 116, theother side of which is connected to A.C. power line 261 by a line 320.The other side of switch 316 is connected by a line 321 to the side ofrelay 311 to which line 314 is connected. Also, a line 322 connects line320 between switches 116 and 316 to line 313 between switches 252 and253 to form a holding circuit to relay 311 through switches 252 and 316and to connect switch 116 in parallel to switch 252.

The control circuit or circuits for label applying mechanism 140 willnow be described. In this regard, the ends of A.C. power line 261 andA.C. ground line 262 opposite from plug 260 are connected to oppositesides of input winding 323a of a transformer 323. A line 324 isconnected at one end to one side of output winding 32311 of transformer323 and has a suitable diode rectifier 325 connected therein. Line 324is connected at its other end to one side of a normally closed switch326 which is controlled by a relay 327.

A normally open switch 330 is also controlled by relay 327 and one sidethereof is connected to the opposite side of switch 326 by a line 331. Aline 332 connects the other side of normally open switch 330 to one sideof a relay 333 through a suitable resistor 334 and a line 335 connectsthe other side of relay 333 to the center of the output winding 32312 oftransformer 323.

A first condenser 336 is connected between lines 324 and 335 by a line337 in parallel relation to the transformer output portion therebetween.A line 340 is connectedbetween lines 324 and 335 and has a suitableresistor 341 connected therein and a potentiometer 342 connected thereinin series with resistor 341. A second condenser 343 is connected inparallel to potentiometer 342 by a line 344 which is connected at oneend to line 340 between resistor 341 and potentiometer 342 and isconnected at its other end to line 335.

The winding of potentiometer 342 is connected to one side of relay 327by a line 345 and the other side of relay 327 is connected by a line 346to one side of light responsive cell 231. The opposite side of lightresponsive cell 231 is connected by a line 347 to a line 350 which isconnected at one end to line 335 and at its other end to one side oflamp 230. A line 351 connects the opposite side of lamp 230 to theoutput winding 3231; of transformer 323 to complete the circuit thereto.

A third condenser 352 controls the actuation of relay 333 and isconnected to line 331 between switches 326 and 330 by a line 353 and isconnected to line 335 by a line 354. Therefore, when switch 330 is open,a circuit will be complete from transformer 323 through switch 326 tothe third condenser 352 and through lines 354 and 335 back totransformer 323 such that condenser 353 will become charged. When lightresponsive cell 231 is activated by a beam of light striking the same,relay 327 will be energized and will open switch 326 and close switch330 thereby changing the polarity of the third condenser 352 which willthen discharge to relay 333 energizing the same.

A switch 355 is controlled by relay 333 and has one side thereofconnected to D.C. ground line 304 by a line 356 and the other sidethereof connected by a line 357 to one side of a relay 360. The oppositeside of relay 360 is connected by a line 361 to D.C. power line 303 tocomplete a circuit thereto when switch 355 is closed due to activationof relay 333. Upon activation, relay 360 closes a pair of normally openswitches 362 and 363 for controlling operation of the valve 227 fordischarging a blast of air through hoses 224 to apply a label to anarticle and to control carrier web take-up reel 177 and drive roller176. In this regard, one side of switch 362 is connected by a line 364to D.C. power line 303 and the opposite side thereof is connected by aline 365 to one side of a solenoid 366. Solenoid 366 has a plunger 366awhich is connected to movable valve member 227a of control valve 227.The opposite side of solenoid 366 is connected by a line 367 to D.C.ground line 304.

One side of switch 363 is connected by a line 370 to D.C. power line 303and the other side of switch 363 is connected by a line 371 to one sideof a relay 372. The opposite side of relay 372 is connected by a line373 to one side of a switch 374, the other side of which is connected toD.C. ground line 304 by a line 375.

Relay 372 controls a first switch 380 which has one .side thereofconnected by a line 381 to D.C. power line 303 and the other sidethereof connected by a line 382 to the side of relay 372 to which line371 is connected to complete a holding circuit to relay 372 when switch380 is closed.

Relay 372 also controls a two position or double throw switch 383 whichhas one side thereof connected to D.C. power line 303 by a line 384. Theother side of switch 383 has a pair of contacts 383a and 38312 whichdefine the two positions thereof and contact 383a is connected to oneside of electromagnetic clutch 186 by a line 385, the other side ofclutch 186 being connected to D.C. ground line 304 by a line 386. Theother contact 383b of switch 383 is connected by a line 387 to one sideof electromagnetic brake 187, the other side of which is connected by aline 390 to D.C. ground line 304. It is noted that switch 383 isnormally closed through the contact 3831: such that the electromagneticbrake 187 is normally energized when relav 372 is deactivated.

The control circuit for switch 374 which controls the activation anddeactivation of electromagnetic clutch 186 and electromagnetic brake 187 will now be described and is similar to the circuit controlling theactuation of switch 355. This circuit includes a transformer 391substantially identical to transformer 323 described above and has oneside of the input winding 391a thereof connected to A.C. power line 261by a line 392 and the other side thereof connected to A.C. ground line262 by a line 393.

Output winding 391b of transformer 391 has a line 394 connected to oneside thereof and a suitable diode rectifier 395 is interposed in line394. The other end of line 394 is connected to one side of a normallyopen switch 396 which is controlled by a relay 397. Relay 397 alsocontrols a normally closed switch 400 which has one side thereofconnected to the opposite side of normally open switch 396 by a line 401and the other side thereof connected to one side of a relay 402 by aline 403 which has a resistor 404 connected therein. The circuit torelay 402 is completed by a line 405 which connects the opposite side ofrelay 402 to the output winding 39111 of transformer 391. v

A first condenser 406 is connected between lines 394 and 405 by a line407. A line 410 is also connected between lines 394 and 405 in parallelto first condenser 406 and has a resistor 411 and a potentiometer 412connected in series therein. A second condense-r 413 is connected inparallel to potentiometer 412 by a line 414 which is connected at oneend to line 410 between resistor 411 and potentiometer 412 and isconnected at its other end to line'405.

"other end. The opposite side of light responsive cell 175 is connectedby a line 417 to a line 420 which is connected at one end to line 405and is connected at its other end to one side of lamp 170, the otherside of which is connected by a line 421 to the output winding 3911: oftransformer 391.

A third condenser 422 is provided for controlling actuation of relay 402and is connected in the circuit by a line 423 which is connected at oneend to line 401 between switches 3'96 and 400 and is connected at itsother end to one side of third condenser 422 and by a line 424 which isconnected at one end to third condenser 422 and at its other end to line405.

OPERATION When the apparatus is to be operated to imprint and applylabels, conveying means 21 is activated by a separate control means (notshown) and operates continuously to convey packaged articles A placedthereon therealong. Assuming that the carrier web W is properly threadedinto apparatus 20 and a printed label is in position to be moved beneathhousing 211, switch 271 is then manually closed to actuate relay 264 toclose double pole switch 263. Switches 282 and 29 3 are also closed toactuate solenoid 197 to move tension roller 204 into cooperatingrelation with carrier web drive roll 176, and to actuate heater 157 toheat the upper surface of top guide member 156.

Motor 106 for imprinter mechanism 44 and motor 193 for label applyingmechanism 140 are also rendered operative but since brake 113 isactuated and clutch 107 is deactivated, imprinter mechanism 44 is notoperated to print labels. To move a printed label into position beneathhousing'211, an article is moved between lamp 230 and light responsivecell 231 to reflect the beam of light from lamp 230". to lightresponsive cell 231 to energize the same. Upon energization, cell 231completes the circuit to relay 327 through potentiometer 342 to actuaterelay 327 which opens switch 326 and closes switch 330. Condenser 352,which has been charged while switch 326 has been closed and switch 330has been open, then discharges through relay 333 thereby momentarilyactuating relay 333 which closes switch 355. It is noted that condenser352 will dissipate its accumulated change in a very short time, i.e.,one-tenth of a second, for example, and therefore relay 333 will beactuated and switch 355 will be closed for a correspondingly short timeUpon closure, switch 355 completes a circuit to relay 360, which thencloses switches 362 arid 303. Switch 362 completes a circuit to solenoid366 which retracts its plunger to move valve member 22711 of valve 227to the open position to permit a high velocity blast or jet of air to bedirected from air source 226 through supply hose 225 to hoses 224. Sincethere is no label below grid bars 221, the air blast Will not apply alabel to the article passed therebeneath to initiate operation ofapplying mechanism 140, but would force a label downwardly off of gridbars 1 221 if a label werepositioned beneath grid bars 221.

At the same time that switch 362 is closed, switch 363 is also closedwhich completes a circuit to relay 372 thereby actuating the same whichcloses switch 380. Since switch 355 is only momentarily closed, relay360 will be actuated and switches 360 and 362 will be closed for only acorrespondingly short time. However, switch 380 completes a holdingcircuit 'to relay 372 through normally closed switch 374 sothat relay372 will remain actuated until switch 374 is opened.

Upon actuation of relay 372, switch 383 is movedfro its normally closedposition, at contact 383b, wherein electromagnetic brake 187 isenergized, to its second position at contact 383a thereby deenergizingbrake 187 and energizing electromagnetic clutch 186. Upon energization,clutch 186 completes the drive from motor 193 to shaft "185 whichrotates carrier web drive roller 176 and carrier web take-up reel 177which serve to draw the carrier web downwardly from imprinting mechanism44 around tension sensing member 242, guide rollers 152 and 153 andcorner member 160. A printed label is thereby peeled from the carrierweb and is moved into underlying relation to grid bars 221 onto thelower surface of which the label is drawn by the suction being pulled onhousing 211 by suction source 222.

It is noted that the carrier web passes around tension sensing member242 with the side thereof opposite from the printed labels thereon inengagement with member 242 so that the tension sensing member will notsmear the printed indicia on the labels. Also, due to the sand orroughened finish on guide rollers 152, 153 and the loose mountingthereof on shafts 154, 155, guide rollers 152, 153 also do not smear theprinted indicia on the printed labels even though the carrier web passestherearound with the labels in engagement therewith. Further, thehold-down rollers 166, 167 also prevent smearing of the printed indiciaby the label removing means.

It is noted that the label L 'is disposed beneath lamp 170 in its travelto corner member to thereby break the light beam between lamp 240 andlight responsive cell 175. As the carrier web is drawn around cornermember 160, this label is moved forwardly and its trailing edge is movedfrom beneath lamp 170. The beam of light from lamp then passes throughthe transparent carrier web portion between this label and the nextsuccessive label and strikes reflector member 174 which reflects thesame to light responsive cell 175 to energize the same.

Upon energization of light responsive cell 175, a circuit is completedto relay 397 to actuate the same which opens normally closed switch 400and closes normally open switch 396. Switch 396 completes the circuitfrom transformer 391 to condenser 422 thereby charging condenser 422 solong as switch 396 is closed. The carrier web W of labels continues tomove and to :be wound on take-up reel 177 until the leading edge of thenext successive label is moved beneath lamp 170 and breaks the lightbeam between lamp 170 and light responsive cell 175. When this occurs,light responsive cell 175 is deenergized which deactivates relay 397 andopens switch 396 and closes switch 400. Condenser 422 then dischargesthrough relay 402 momentarily, i.e., one-tenth of a second, for example,actuating the same and thereby opening switch 374 for a correspondinglyshort time. When the accumulated charge of condenser 422 has beendissipated, relay 402 is deactivated, even though switch 400 remainsclosed, and switch 374 again moves to closed position.

Upon the momentary opening of switch 374, the bolding circuit to relay372 is broken thereby deactivating the relay andmoving switch 380 to theopen position. Therefore, relay 372 will not be reactivated when switch374 moves to closed position. When relay 372 is deactivated, switch 383moves from its second position at contact 383a to its first posit-ion atcontact 38% thereby .deenergizing' electromagnetic clutch 186 andenergizing electromagnetic brake 187. This stops carrier web driveroller 1 76 and take-up reel 177 with a label in position beneath gridbars 221 and the next successive label beneath lamp 170. 1

Upon each successive article A being moved beneath housing 221 byconveyor means 21, the same reflects the thereon is then moved byconveyor means 21 beneath roller 234 which rolls the label into goodadhering relation to the article.

As the labels are removed from the carrier web and applied to thearticles A, the length of the carrier web between imprinter mechanism 44and label removing means 150 is shortened. Tension sensing member 242and arm 240 on which the same is mounted are moved reanwardly, or to theright as seen in FIGURE 1, thereby which movement rotates shaft 24.1 andcams 250, 251 thereon.

When cam 251 is rotated a predetermined distance in thiscounterclockwise direction as seen in FIGURE 12, the same closes switch253 which completes a circuit to relay 311 thereby actuating the same.Upon actuation, relay 311 closes switch 316 which completes a firstholding circuit to relay 311 through switch 252, and a second holdingcircuit through switch 116 which is connected in parallel to switch 252.Therefore, both switches 116 and 252 must be open before relay 3111 willbe deactivated.

Relay 311 also moves switch 3116 from its normally closed position atcontact 3060, wherein electromagnetic brake 113 is energized, to itssecond position at contact 30 6b, thereby deenergizing electromagneticbrake 113 and energizing electromagnetic clutch 1117. Upon energization,clutch 107 completes the drive through stub shaft 94 to shaft 90 whichdrives feed cams 86, 87, label positioning means 122, printing cylinder64, back-uproller 66, ink transfer roll 73 and other operative elementsof imprinting mechanism 44 to intermittently feed labels to the printingcylinder 64 and to print such intermittently fed labels with the desiredindicia.

As imprinting mechanism 44 prints the labels, the length of the carrierweb W between imprinting mechanism 44 and label removing means 150gradually increases since imprinting mechanism 44 prints the labelsfaster than the same are applied by applying mechanism 140, arm 240 andtension sensing member 242 thereon are moved fonwardly, or to the left:as seen in FIGURE 1, by spring 245. Upon movement of arm 240 in thisdirection, shaft 241 is rotated in a clockwise direction as seen inFIGURE 12 and cam 2 51 moves away from switch 253 permitting the same toopen, but relay 3111 is maintained energized through the aforementionedholding circuit.

When arm 240 has moved to the left a predetermined distance, cam 250opens switch 252 thereby breaking the first holding circuit to relay311, but the second holding circuit to relay 311 is still completethrough switch 116. Relay 311 is therefore maintained energized untilcam 121 opens switch 116 which immediately deenergizes relay 311 whichmoves switch 3116 from contact 30612 to contact 306a and therebydeenergizes electromagnetic clutch 107 and energizes electromagneticbrake 1113.

It is noted that cam 121 rotates in timed relation to printing cylinder64 and has the high point of its periphery disposed relative to switch116 such that switch 116 is opened each time printing cylinder 164 isdisposed in such a position that the printing type 64a thereon isdisposed between back-uproll 66 .and ink transfer roll 73 on therearward side of ink transfer roll 73 relative to the direction oftravel thereof. The printing cylinder is therefore stopped with printingtype 64a in this position to assure that the printing type 64a will'notbe in engagement with ink transfer roll 73 or a label between theprinting cylinder 64 and the back-up roll 66. Also, stopping of theprinting cylinder in this position always assures that the printing type64a will engage ink transfer roll 73 before the same engages a labelupon restarting of imprinting mechanism 44 such that a fresh supply ofink will be transferred thereto before the next successive label isprinted upon such restarting.

Imprinting mechanism 44 remains deactivated until the length of thecarrier web between imprinting mechanism 44 and label removing means 150is shortened to such an extent that arm 240 is moved rearwardly, or tothe right as seen in FIGURE 1, a sufiicient distance to cause cam 251 toclose switch 253 in the manner set forth above and then the labelprinting cycle will be repeated.

It will therefore be apparent that a novel combination label imprintingand applying apparatus is provided wherein improved printing of thelabels is provided wherein the printing cylinder is always stopped insuch a position that the printing of the labels is not adverselyaffected thereby, wherein the printed indicia on the labels is notsmeared by the imprinting mechanism and the applying mechanism andwherein waste of labels and carrier web is materially reduced,

In the drawings and specification there has been set forth a preferredembodiment of the invention and, although specific terms are employed,they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not forpurposes of limitation, the scope of the invention being defined in theclaims.

We claim:

1. Combination label imprinting and applying apparatus for printingsuitable indicia on serially arranged labels connected into a web ofindeterminate length and for separating such labels and applying thesame to ar-.

ticles successively and randomly presented thereto, said apparatuscomprising (a) label separating means adapted to receive the web oflabels and to successively separate the same into unconnected individuallabels,

(b) label applying means operatively associated with said labelseparating means for receiving individual labels therefrom and forapplying these labels to articles presented thereto,

(c) feeding means for feeding the web of labels to said label separatingmeans,

(d) article sensing means connected to said label applying means forsensing articles presented to said applying means and for actuating saidapplying means to apply labels thereto irrespective of the speed oftravel or arrangement of the articles being presented for labeling, andsaid article sensing means also being connected to said feeding meansfor actuating the same to feed another label to said label separatingmeans upon the application of a label to an article so that anotherlabel is delivered to said applying means for application to the nextarticle presented to said applying means,

(e) label sensing means disposed adjacent said label separating meansand connected to said feeding means for maintaining said feeding meansactuated until another label reaches a position adjacent said separatingmeans and being responsive to the arrival of a label at said positionfor deactivating said feeding means,

(f) imprinting means positioned adjacent said label separating means forprinting suitable indicia on said labels in the web before the web isdelivered to said separating means and including a rotatable printingcylinder,

(g) sen-sing means disposed between said imprinting rneans and saidseparating means for sensing the label requirements of said applyingmeans, and

(h) control means connected to said imprinting means and responsive tosaid sensing means (g) for actuating the printing means to print labelsand for deactuating the printing means when the label "requirements havebeen filled.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said control means (h)includes means for stopping said printing cylinder in a predeterminedpositionready to quickly and properly print another label when saidapplying means requires labels.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 including '(i) rotatable guide meansdisposed between said imprinting means and said separating means andadapt- 1 7 ed to engage the web of labels on the printed side thereoffor guiding the web of labels between said imprinting means and saidlabel separating means, said guide means having a roughened, sand-likesurface for guiding the web of labels without smearing the printedindicia on the labels.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said guide means includes atleast one guide roller comprising a shaft of predetermined diameter andan elongate hollow sleeve mounted on said shaft for rotation relativethereto, said sleeve having an internal diameter greater than theexternal diameter of said shaft so that said sleeve is loosely mountedon said shaft for limited lateral movement relative thereto, said sleevehaving said roughened, sandlike surface thereon.

5. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said guide means includes apair of vertically spaced and aligned guide rollers each comprising ashaft of predetermined diameter and an elongate hollow sleeve mounted onsaid shaft for rotation relative thereto, said sleeve having an internaldiameter greater than the external diameter of said shaft so that saidsleeves are loosely mounted on said shafts for limited lateral movementrelative thereto, said sleeve having roughened, sand-like surfacesthereon.

6. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said sensing means (g) forsensing the label requirements of said applying means comprises (1) amember adapted to contact the web of labels between the imprinting meansand the label separating means, and normally occupying a first position,but movable to a second position in reponse to a predetermined increasein the tension in the web between said imprinting means and said labelseparating means, and

(2) switch means connected to said imprinting means and being actuatedupon movement of said member to said second position for actuating theimprinting means to print labels.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said sensing mean (g) furtherincludes (3) means biasing said member toward said first position sothat said member will return to the first position upon a decrease inthe tension in the web of labels to deactuate said switch means and thussaid imprinting means.

8. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said imprinting means (f)includes drive means for rotating said printing cylinder, and whereinsaid control means (h) includes electromagnetic clutch and brake meansdisposed between said drive means and said printing cylinder andresponsive to said sensing means (g) for normally maintaining saidcylinder in a predetermined position by said electromagnetic clutchmeans being normally deact-uated and said electromagnetic brake meansbeing normally actuated and responsive to said sensing means (g) beingactuated for connecting said drive means to said printing cylinder bydeactuation of said brake means and actuation of said clutch means.

9. Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said sensing means (g)includes first switch means for actuating and 18 deactuating saidcontrol-means and wherein said control means includes (1) second switchmeans connected to said electromagnetic clutch and brake means formaintaining the clutch means actuated and the brake means deactuatedafter deactuation of said first switch means, and

(2) cam means rotatable in synchronism with said printing cylinder andoperatively associated with said second switch means for deactuatingsaid second switch means when said printing cylinder reaches saidpredetermined position to deactuate said electromagnetic clutch meansand to actuate said electromagnetic brake.

10. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the serially arranged labelsare releasably secured on a carrier web of indeterminate length, andwherein said label separating means includes (1) a corner member havingupper and lower surfaces disposed at an acute angle and around which thecarrier web having printed labels thereon is adapted to be drawn to peelthe printed labels from the carrier web,

(2) a guide member disposed adjacent to said corner member for guidingthe carrier web to said corner member,

(3) a rotatably mounted first roller disposed in contiguous relation tosaid guide member and adapted to engage the carrier web and printedlabels thereon for guiding the carrier web into engagement with saidguide member, and

(4) a rotatably mounted second roller disposed in contiguous relation tothe upper surface of said corner member and adapted to engage thecarrier web and labels thereon for holding the carrier web in intimaterelation with the upper surface of said corner member, said first andsecond roller having a roughened, sand-like surface thereon for guidingthe carrier web without smearing the printed indicia on the labels.

11. Apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said feeding means comprisescarrier web rewind means for drawing the web of labels about said cornermember to remove the labels and for rewinding the carrier web uponremoval of the labels therefrom.

12. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said article sensing means isadjustable relative to said label applying means for accommodatingarticles of varying size and for varying the position on the articles atwhich the labels are applied.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,731,467 10/1929 Knowlton l01420 2,687,819 8/1954 Hill et a1. l56384 3,093,5286/1963 Reich 156-584 3,169,895 2/1965 Sohn 156363 3,193,211 7/1965 Flood156542 EARL M. BERGERT, Primary Examiner.

I. P. MELOCHE, Assistant Examiner.

Disclaimer 3,301,738.J0hn A. West and William [3. Eppes, Charlotte, NC.COMBINA- TION LABEL IMPRINTING AND APPLYING APPARATUS. Patent dated Jan.31, 1967. Disclaimer filed July 15, 1968, by the assignee, I dento Eguipment Company. Hereby enters this disclaimer to claims 1, 6, 7 and 12of said patent.

[Ofiicial Gazette August 2'7, 1.968.]

1. COMBINATION LABEL IMPRINTING AND APPLYING APPARATUS FOR PRINTINGSUITABLE INDICIA ON SERIALLY ARRANGED LABELS CONNECTED INTO A WEB OFINDETERMINATE LENGTH AND FOR SEPARATING SUCH LABELS AND APPLYING THESAME TO ARTICLES SUCCESSIVELY AND RANDOMLY PRESENTED THERETO, SAIDAPPARATUS COMPRISING (A) LABEL SEPARATING MEANS ADAPTED TO RECEIVE THEWEB OF LABELS AND TO SUCCESSIVELY SEPARATE THE SAME INTO UNCONNECTEDINDIVIDUAL LABELS, (B) LABEL APPLYING MEANS OPERATIVELY ASSOCIATED WITHSAID LABEL SEPARATING MEANS FOR RECEIVING INDIVIDUAL LABELS THEREFROMAND FOR APPLYING THESE LABELS TO ARTICLES PRESENTED THERETO, (C) FEEDINGMEANS FOR FEEDING THE WEB OF LABELS TO SAID LABEL SEPARATING MEANS, (D)ARTICLE SENSING MEANS CONNECTED TO SAID LABEL APPLYING MEANS FOR SENSINGARTICLES PRESENTED TO SAID APPLYING MEANS AND FOR ACTUATING SAIDAPPLYING MEANS TO APPLY LABELS THERETO IRRESPECTIVE OF THE SPEED OFTRAVEL OR ARRANGEMENT OF THE ARTICLES BEING PRESENTED FOR LABELING, ANDSAID ARTICLE SENSING MEANS ALSO BEING CONNECTED TO SAID FEEDING MEANSFOR ACTUATING THE SAME TO FEED ANOTHER LABEL TO SAID LABEL SEPARATINGMEANS UPON THE APPLICATION OF A LABEL TO AN ARTICLE SO THAT ANOTHERLABEL IS LEVIERED TO SAID APPLYING MEANS FOR APPLICATION TO THE NEXTARTICLE PRESENTED TO SAID APPLYING MEANS, (E) LABEL SENSING MEANSDISPOSED ADJACENT SAID LABEL SEPARATING MEANS AND CONNECTED TO SAIDFEEDING MEANS FOR MAINTAINING SAID FEEDING MEANS ACTUATED UNTIL ANOTHERLABEL REACHES A POSITION ADJACENT SAID SEPARATING MEANS AND BEINGRESPONSIVE TO THE ARRIVAL OF A LABEL AT SAID POSITION FOR DEACTIVATINGSAID FEEDING MEANS, (F) IMPRINTING MEANS POSITIONED ADJACENT SAID LABELSEPARATING MEANS FOR PRINTING SUITABLE INDICIA ON SAID LABELS IN THE WEBBEFORE THE WEB IS DELIVERED TO SAID SEPARATING MEANS AND INCLUDING AROTATABLE PRINTING CYLINDER, (G) SENSING MEANS DISPOSED BETWEEN SAIDIMPRINTING MEANS AND SAID SEPARATING MEANS FOR SENSING THE LABELREQUIREMENTS OF SAID APPLYING MEANS, AND (H) CONTROL MEANS CONNECTED TOSAID IMPRINTING MEANS AND RESPONSIVE TO SAID SENSING MEANS (G) FORACTUATING THE PRINTING MEANS TO PRINT LABELS AND FOR DEACTUATING THEPRINTING MEANS WHEN THE LABEL REQUIREMENTS HAVE BEEN FILLED.